A Platoon of the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) from 8 South African Infantry Battalion (8 SAI Bn) which is currently deployed in Sudan (Darfur) for peacekeeping mission, with the aim of ensuring that a better Africa and a better world is realised, will be cited for their unflinching gallantry after being accosted by the armed militia on their return from patrol on Tuesday, 18 August 2015.
During this incident, armed militia stopped the vehicles which SANDF members were driving and ordered them (SANDF members) to surrender all the weapons in their possession. Tension aggravated when Lieutenant Phiri, the Platoon Commander of the SANDF adamantly refused to bow down to the demands of the militia, despite several threats to shoot the entire platoon if they do not hand over their weapons.
During the stalemate, SANDF members took a battle formation upon realising that the armed militia has taken a firing position.
No shot was fired during the confrontation and the daringly plucky Platoon Commander of the SANDF returned safely at the base with his platoon.
Enquiries:
Lieutenant Colonel Piet Paxton
Cell: 083 399 9225 / 083 626 5751
